Coryza, snuffles, or cold in the head, is one of the
earliest and most common affections of the young infant. Sometimes the
first that is known of it is, that the infants nose is stopped up, so
as to hinder its respiration while at the breast. The swelling of the
mucous membrane of the nares, and especially the accumulation of the
secreted mucus, not only hinder the little sufferer from breathing
through its nose, as is its wont in nursing, but occasion also during
its sleep the peculiar snuffling sound,--similar to snoring in
adults,--which gives to this disorder its popular name. In some cases
there is a considerable flow of mucus; and all the symptoms resemble
those seen in the epidemic influenza of older children. Here the
Euphrasia deserves attention,--in addition to the remedies commonly
used,--since it will often be found to correspond in a remarkable manner
with the totality of the symptoms.

In other cases there appears to be "something
more than a simple inflammation of the Schneiderian membrane, since it
either scretes a very tenacious mucus in extreme abundance, or becomes
coated with a false membrane, which sometimes extends even to the
tonsils and palate. Cases of this kind are usually associated with
extreme depression of the vital powers, and have received on this
account the name of Coryza Maligna. I have no doubt of their identity
with diphtheria,--of which they constitute the form known as nasal
diphtheria." In addition to the Kali bi., those two more recently
proved remedies, Cubeba and Arum triphyllum, will be suggested to the
Homopathic practitioner, to whom the name by which the disease may be
designated is of small account.

Where the coryza tends to become chronic, and to
maintain itself in spite of the indicated remedies, we must look still
deeper into the nature of the case, if not before. Since this very
disposition to persistence evidences some constitutional taint,--either
scrofulous or worse,--which had not otherwise been discoverable. Indeed,
chronic coryza fully developed and established, wants only the
intolerably offensive odor of the discharge to become a veritable ozęna.
This latter will of course consist in an ulcerated state of the mucous
membrane of the nares; and may be purely scrofulous in its origin,-- or
dependent upon some more or less remote syphilitic taint in the system.
The history of the case and the attendant symptoms will usually show the
nature of the affection; and in his diagnosis the physician may
sometimes be assisted by observing in spots the minute traces of a
characteristic, copper-coloured eruption. By thus adapting his remedies
to all the conditions and symptoms of the case, he may well hope, in a
short space of time, to remove the primary affection of the nasal mucous
membrane of the young infant, which if not thus early eradicated will
presently extend itself to the adjacent mucous surfaces and become a
much more formidable and intractable kind of disease.

HOMOPATHIC TREATMENT

Calcarea c.

This
medicine may be appropriately given after Chamomilla, when that remedy
seems indicated but fails.

Carbo veg.

If the
coryza return in the evening.

Chamomilla.

When
there is a watery or mucous discharge. The child is quieted, and in fact
relieved by carrying it up and down the room.

Dulcamara.

The child
gets worse at every cold change in the weather, or from exposure to cold
air.

Kali bi.

An
invaluable remedy when the discharge from the nose is tough and stringy;
sometimes it seems to extend to the throat and to cause chocking.

Mercurius.

The
nostrils are red, raw and ulcerated.

Nux v.

The catarrh
is worse at night, particularly towards morning, or in the morning.
Through the night the nose is very dry.

Pulsatilla.

Coryza
much worse every evening; better every morning.

Sambucus n.

The nose
seems perfectly dry and completely obstructed.

Sticta p.

There is a
constant irritation in the nose, to blow it,-- but no discharge.

Tartar e.

Obstruction of the nose, and at the same time much rattling in the
bronchia.

NOTE:

Any information given above is not intended to be
taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very
important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather
consult the most abled and qualified classical homopath and take the
treatment under his proper guidance and advice.